Front Page Headlines
Tatar’s vision for two states ran into an American wall
Message from Washington to Ankara through the new US Ambassador to Turkey
- Greece-France: Defence agreement with… other dimensions
- Reserves: Hundreds of illegal exemptions
- 2004 hires: Police, in other words illegality
Complications with the envoy
The announcement for the appointment by the Secrtary General was not issued, as was expected. Tatar moving everywhere with the logic of ‘two states’.
- Greco-French power in the Eastern Mediterranean
- The Azeri’s targets were Israeli businessmen
- They’re sending Europeans to help with the return of migrants
Austerity also brought the reproduction rate to its knees
The government is promising measures to reconcile family and professional life after 8 years of scratching
- Cyprus problem: Bleak scenery after the New York trilateral meeting
- 1974 prisoners: They’re begging the State for a benefit for health issues…
- Asya’s transport to the Makario Hospital an example and hope for peace in Cyprus
More EU help for migrants sought
Visiting EU commissioner praises upgrades at Pournara camp.
From point zero and yavas yavas
Tatar very vocal and revealing about the contents and results of the informal meal in New York. Tatar says he’s not in a hurry, he wants time for a BBF to be done with and for the separate sovereignty to be digested. Body of work so far has no common ground or commitments. Our starting point are high-level agreements and UN resolutions and for Turkey, it is sovereign equality and two states.
- Nicos Christodoulides: We’re ready for negotiations even from tomorrow
- Protection from Turkey: Historic military agreement between Greece and France
- Mitsotakis: We’re heading for a calm autumn but also a calm winter…
- In the TC press: Little Asya on the front pages
Main News
Tatar says no common ground between the two sides
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Though there is no common ground for official negotiations on the Cyprus problem, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and bicommunal Technical Committees for the improvement of life on the island, TC leader Ersin Tatar said on Tuesday after the informal trilateral meeting along with President Nicos Anastasiades and UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres.
Stressing that there is no common ground, Cyprus Mail reports that Tatar said however that “even though such talks do not yield results, they are good for dialogue.” He added that negotiations cannot resume until demands for the recognition of the TC side’s sovereign equality and equal international status are accepted. He also said that he disagrees with any resumption of talks until his six-point proposal tabled at the informal meeting in Geneva last April is accepted.
Cyprus Mail reports that Tatar said that Anastasiades did not accept this, pointing out that the TC side was faced with “a mentality that does not accept our right to separate sovereignty.” Tatar also said he clarified his opposition to the resumption of talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana.
Alithia and Haravgi report that Tatar said that the TC side is not in a rush to secure a Cyprob solution but is counting on the passage of time in order to see what he called the “obstacle” of a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) surpassed and for the idea of a two state solution to be accepted.
The dailies report that Tatar also said that both sides expressed their readiness to make steps to improve life in Cyprus and to strengthen the 12 Technical Committees, which was welcomed by Guterres.
Phileleftheros reports that though the GC side views confidence-building measures (CBMs) as having a bicommunal character and based on the input of the UN, the TC side is attempting to use Technical Committees as vehicle to solidify the status quo by offering contacts in the form of dialogue between two neighbouring states.
Alithia reports that the results of the trilateral confirm that the Cyprus problem is at an impasse, the breaking of which does not appear to be possible at the moment.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> There is no common ground between the two sides
>> Negotiations cannot resume until the TC side’s sovereign equality and equal international status are accepted, as well as his six-point proposal
>> Opposed to the resumption of talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana
>> Not in a rush to secure a Cyprob solution, counting on the passage of time in order to surpass the obstacle of a BBF & for the idea of a two state solution to be accepted
>> Both sides ready to make steps to improve life in Cyprus and to strengthen the 12 Technical Committees
Appointment of UN envoy hanging in the balance
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) efforts to appoint a UN envoy who would continue working towards finding common ground between the two sides are being made very difficult due to intense backstage deliberations and disagreements, the papers report.
Politis and Alithia report that until late on Tuesday night, the UN had yet to issue an announcement on the informal trilateral meeting between the UNSG and the two leaders on Monday. Alithia reports that TC leader Ersin Tatar said that without his consent this announcement will not be issued.
Citing information, Politis reports that Tuesday saw intense backstage mobility which made the UN’s efforts to issue an announcement regarding the meeting’s results very difficult. The main issue was a strong disagreement between the two sides regarding the new UN envoy, and especially who it will be and what role they will have, with the central concern being the way and timeframe for the resumption of talks.
Citing the same information, Politis reports that the situation backstage between the two sides was already dramatic even before the meeting, with drafts going and coming but a positive conclusion nowhere in sight by late on Tuesday night.
Politis writes that the two main points of disagreement between the two sides have to do with whether the UNSG will appoint an envoy or a representative and with the resumption of talks. Regarding the first matter, disagreement is still strong with the TC side pushing for an envoy that only responds to Guterres and has no more powers than Jane Holl Lute had, while the GC side is seeking a representative that will respond to the UN Security Council (UNSC) and will therefore ensure that the solution basis remains in line with relevant resolutions.
Phileleftheros reports that TC leader Ersin Tatar even referred to the new appointment to be made by the UNSG as a ‘personal envoy’ rather than a special envoy.
Phileleftheros adds that two permanent members of the UNSC, China and Russia, had in the past and in light of other issues requested from the UNSG that he avoids appointing personal envoys so that envoys report back to the UNSC on the work conducted.
The second and more substantial point of contention, Politis reports, regarding the resumption of negotiations, has seen the GC side ask that a timeline is set for the resumption of talks and from the point they left off in Crans-Montana. The TC side, however, insists that negotiations cannot begin until their sovereign equality is recognised, making Guterres’ job of pointing to the next steps very difficult.
Christodoulides: Negotiations prospects to become clear by end of 2021
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said in an interview on Monday with the Associated Press that prospects for the resumption of negotiations will likely become clearer by the end of the year through the work to be conducted by the new UN envoy.
Phileleftheros reports that Christodoulides described the informal lunch meeting as “quite constructive” and also “positive because it shows the interest of the UN Secretary General (UNSG) to the Cyprus problem.” He said he expects the new UN envoy to visit Cyprus and the three guarantor powers to assess whether there are any prospects of resuming talks.
The dailies report that he said the GC side is ready to resume negotiations “even tomorrow” based on UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Christodoulides added that the only way to solve the Cyprus problem is through negotiations, because without negotiations, the situation is getting more and more difficult.
He said the GC side “cannot even discuss” the two-state deal TCs and Turkey want because it’s outside the framework of UNSC resolutions and the UNSG’s mandate. The international community has also had a negative reaction to the proposal, he said. The only viable solution for Cyprus, Christodoulides said, is as a federation.
KEY ACTORS
Christodoulides
>> Informal meeting was quite constructive & positive to see the UNSG’s interest in Cyprob
>> Prospects for the resumption of negotiations will likely become clearer by the end of the year through the work to be conducted by the new UN envoy
>> GC side is ready to resume negotiations even tomorrow based on UNSC resolutions
>> The only way to solve the Cyprus problem is through negotiations, because without negotiations, the situation is getting more and more difficult
>> GC side cannot even discuss the two-state deal TCs and Turkey want because it’s outside the framework of UNSC resolutions and the UNSG’s mandate. The international community has also had a negative reaction to the proposal
>> Only viable solution for Cyprus is as a federation
Most parties unhappy with New York trilateral results
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the announcements issued by political parties in response to the New York informal trilateral.
Cyprus Mail reports that bar ruling DISY that assessed the meeting as positive, most parties said it merely confirmed expectations that nothing much would come out of it.
DISY leader Averof Neophytou said Monday’s lunch had a positive aspect. He said it is positive that the appointment of an envoy by the UN Secretary General (UNSG) is expected to continue to work of Jane Holl Lute. He added that dialogue is needed as it is the only way to break the deadlock. Neophytou also said it was important to pay attention to confidence-building measures (CBMs) that improve the climate between the two sides.
AKEL, on the other hand, via its spokesman Giorgos Koukoumas said that though it is satisfied with the UNSG’s intention to appoint a special envoy, it is critical of the stance of President Nicos Anatasiades. Koukoumas said the response of the GC side should be the unwavering and loyal adherence to the agreed framework and convergences, in order to continue the talks from the point where they left off in 2017, but instead the road of ‘new ideas’ was chosen.
Koukoumas said the result of the trilateral confirms the low expectations, mainly due to the Turkish demand for a two-state solution and recognition of the north’s sovereign equality. The party said discussing CBMs instead of resuming substantive talks is far from certain that it will yield results especially in the absence of a substantive negotiation process.
DIKO said the persistence of TC leader Ersin Tatar on a two-state solution and sovereign equality, as well as the lack of references by the UN to the agreed-upon solution framework, do not leave much room for optimism. Commenting on the appointment of a new special envoy to help the sides find common ground, DIKO wanted to know “exactly what is this common ground the UN seek? It is a confederation?” The party said that as long as Turkey has to bear no costs for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, it is neither in a rush nor does it even want a solution.
For EDEK, “endless discussions on CBMs diverts the Cyprus issue from its proper basis, as a problem of invasion, continued occupation and ethnic cleansing, and contributes to the capitalisation of additional benefits for the occupation regime.”
DIPA said the results of the trilateral unfortunately show that the Cyprus problem is faced with a new deadlock.
ELAM said trilateral and five-party meetings do not help to resolve the Cyprus problem, on the contrary. The party called for an international summit.
Archbishop Chrysostomos too weighed in on the meeting. He said not much hope is left since Tatar acts on the instructions of Ankara, whose goal is to have a TC state in Cyprus. He said the Turkish side seeks recognition of the north, which will not happen. “We, the Church reject something like that,” the Archbishop said.
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou (DISY)
>> It is positive that the appointment of an envoy by the UNSG is expected to continue to work of Jane Holl Lute
>> Dialogue is needed as it is the only way to break the deadlock
>> Important to pay attention to CBMs that improve the climate between the two sides
Koukoumas (AKEL)
>> Though it is satisfied with the UNSG’s intention to appoint a special envoy, Anastasiades should not have chosen the route of new ideas but stuck to framework & convergences
>> Result of trilateral confirms low expectations, mainly due to the Turkish demand for a two-state solution and recognition of the north’s sovereign equality
>> Discussing CBMs instead of resuming substantive talks is far from certain that it will yield results especially in the absence of a substantive negotiation process
DIKO
>> The persistence of Tatar on a two-state solution and sovereign equality, as well as the lack of references by the UN to the agreed-upon solution framework, do not leave much room for optimism
>> Wonders whether it is towards a confederation that the new special envoy will be working towards
>> As long as Turkey has to bear no costs for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, it is neither in a rush nor does it even want a solution
EDEK
>> Endless discussions on CBMs diverts the Cyprus issue from its proper basis, as a problem of invasion, continued occupation and ethnic cleansing, and contributes to the capitalisation of additional benefits for the occupation regime
DIPA
>> Results of the trilateral unfortunately show that the Cyprus problem is faced with a new deadlock
ELAM
>> Trilateral and five-party meetings do not help to resolve the Cyprus problem, on the contrary
>> Calls for an international Cyprob summit
Archbishop Chrysostomos
>> Not much hope is left since Tatar acts on the instructions of Ankara, whose goal is to have a TC state in Cyprus
>> The Turkish side seeks recognition of the north, which will not happen & is rejected by the Church
US Ambassador to Turkey nominee stresses opposition to 2-states
Alithia, Haravgi, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The nominee for the post of US Ambassador to Turkey, Jeff Flake, in his hearing before the Senate as part of the process to confirm his appointment, clarified that he stands against a two-state solution in Cyprus, the dailies report.
He also referred to the issue of Varosha, condemning the moves there as destablising and clearly in violation of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
During his hearing, Flake also pointed to other areas that show Turkey’s destabilising role in the eastern Mediterranean as well as its intervention in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Politis reports that Flake, a former Republican Senator, does not come from the diplomatic mechanism of the State Department, since he was the political choice of President Joe Biden.